Effects of Covid-19 Infection on Rheumatological Patients Treated with Biological Agents During the Pandemic Process
Berna Günay1, Nilgün Mesci1, Duygu Geler Külcü1, Erkan Mesci2, Emine Unkun Kandemir1, Talha Çelik11Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Göztepe Prof. Dr. Süleyman Yalçın City Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess the progression of infection and vaccine response in patients with rheumatic diseases monitored during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare the findings with data from a control group.
METHODS: A total of 106 patients with rheumatic diseases were enrolled, including 63 with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), 42 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 1 with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The control group comprised 56 participants. We evaluated the participants' demographic characteristics, diagnosis, disease duration, additional systemic diseases, history of COVID-19 infection, the course and severity of infection for those affected, presence of prolonged symptoms, vaccination status, and vaccine side effects.
RESULTS: There were no differences between the patient and control groups in terms of demographic data, vaccination status, COVID-19 experience, and disease duration among those with COVID-19. When compared based on medication use, no significant differences were found in demographic data, vaccination status, and disease duration.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: When comparing the patient and control groups based on medication use, no significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the frequency of COVID-19, vaccination status before COVID-19 infection, symptoms caused by COVID-19, hospitalization, lung involvement, intubation frequency, need for intensive care, and prolonged post-COVID complaints. The data collected indicate that patients with rheumatic diseases should continue their treatment as usual when they do not have an active infection. The medications they are taking do not pose an increased risk in terms of infection or vaccine-induced immunity.
Manuscript Language: English